All’s well at OKWU

While we generally focus strongly on the possibilities of the area high school sports teams, Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s autumn squads also appear to be promising.

The men’s soccer team took a huge hit by graduation, but still returned a sizable amount of experienced veterans and should make another run toward the NAIA national tourney.

The women’s soccer team endured some downs and ups last season and could be ready to come back into its own in 2017.

Both teams still are a couple of weeks away from their season openers.

The Lady Eagle volleyball team won 19 matches last season — and could soar into the high 20’s — or 30’s — of victories this fall.

The Lady Eagles boast some proven productive talents, plenty of firepower and some youthful energy to the mix.

Blast from the past

Following is an excerpt of an E-E article from 2004.

One year ago, Ryan Rogers faced the great unknown of college baseball.

An accomplished pitcher for Bartlesville High and in American Legion Baseball, the lefty peered as far as he could beyond the hidden horizon.

Coming into this weekend’s NJCAA Region II Regional Tournament, Rogers has crossed the threshold from high school legend to college standout.

He and his Seminole State teammates charged into the tourney this weekend at Bill Doegnes Memorial Stadium full of high hopes of advancing to the junior college World Series.

Rogers brought a 5-1 record into the tourney with 39 strikeouts in 45 innings of work for Seminole State.

Rogers said he likely would get the starting nod sometime this weekend at Doenges Stadium, the cite of so many of his great performances the last half-decade.

“It’s a lot different for me,” he said about playing at Doegnes. “There’s something about that place that brings the best out in you.”

Rogers was considered one of the best high school pitchers in Oklahoma coming out of high school last year.

He signed with the University of Oklahoma, expecting at the time to spend all four years of college there.

But, partway through the school year he decided to rechart his steps and take a detour.

That’s what led him to transferring to Seminole State.

“They (the Oklahoma coahces) were the ones who suggested me going there,” said Rogers. “They said I could come back after two years.”

Rogers main reason for leaving the Sooner program was simple — he wanted to be utilized more.

“I’m happiest that I got the opportunity to pitch,” he said about his transfer. “Now, I’m also glad just be around the guys on the team. Everybody is a lot nicer.”

Rogers’ personal highlight during the regular season was throwing a shutout against Eastern Oklahoma.

“That was our third-to-last home game,” he noted.

“I know how to pitch this year,” he said about his growth as a pitcher since high school and American Legion play. “I don’t try to throw too many fastballs. I try to make people hit ground balls and make my defense work.”

Overall, Seminole didn’t have as strong a regular season as it would have liked, Rogers said.

But, the team’s attitude headed into the regionals was to start again with a fresh attitude.

“Everybody is zero-zero going into the tourney,” he explained.

Rogers is planning on playing summer ball with a team affiliated with Seminole.

The people of Bartlesville continue to have a strong spot in his heart.

“I appreciate everybody’s support,” he said. “The more people who come out, the better we’ll play.”

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